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Singer Jessi has been embroiled in a controversy over her party's assault on a fan. [Source=Yonhap News]

Singer Jessi (real name Ho Hyun-joo, 35) and her entourage have been embroiled in controversy over allegedly assaulting a fan, with the identity of a male suspect spreading widely.

In the early hours of the 29th of last month, an incident occurred in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where a minor fan requested to take a photo with Jessi but was assaulted by her entourage. Jessi tried to intervene and then left the scene, after which the police arrived following a report from the victim. The police asked Jessi's group about the whereabouts of the assailant, but they reportedly responded that they did not know. Regarding this, Jessi's side stated to the police that "We have no connection to the assailant, who is a Chinese friend of a producer close to me."

At the time of the incident, when the victim asked Jessi for a photo, one of the entourage members blocked him, punched him in the abdomen, and threatened him by pushing his head forward. Online, the man is being identified as Koala (real name Heo Jae-won, 35), a producer and rapper. Koala participated in producing Jessi's songs such as "What Type of X," "Cold Blooded," and "NUNU NANA." In fact, his social media accounts show pictures of him carrying Jessi on his back in a friendly manner.

The police reportedly summoned Koala on the 11th as a suspect for questioning. Currently, Jessi, Koala, and four others from the entourage have been registered as suspects following assault complaints filed by the victim. However, Jessi's legal representative told JTBC's "Incident Commander" that "Koala only collaborated with Jessi on a few music projects, and Jessi has no ties to any gangs," adding, "We have no knowledge of Koala being involved with gangs." Jessi herself appeared at the Gangnam Police Station on the afternoon of the 16th and told reporters, "I hope the person who hit the victim is found quickly and punished," and expressed, "It was my first time seeing the assailant on the day of the incident. I am very sorry to the victim."

Meanwhile, Jessi is a singer and rapper of Korean-American descent, born in New York, USA, and raised in New Jersey. She debuted in 2005 under the name Jessica H.O and was active as a member of the groups Uptown and Lucky J. She later appeared on Mnet's "Unpretty Rapstar," MBC's "Real Enlistment Project: Real Men 2," and KBS2's "Sister's Slam Dunk," among other shows.